I had occasion to visit a 6th grade classroom very recently. I was observing as a teacher was presenting a Social Studies lesson on Ancient Civilizations. Students were obediently copying down the notes from the handwritten overhead slides the teacher had prepared. I noticed a couple of minor spelling and pronunciation errors, but hey, we all make mistakes, right?
That's when she came to it. A crime against all spelling and grammar: "Distastless". You are probably saying, "Huh?" just as I did when faced with this so-called adjective printed in bright purple overhead marker. This "word" was supposed to describe someone who wore excessive amounts of jewelry. A myriad of alternative adjectives ran through my mind: gauche, crass, uncouth... But no, she had chosen to create her own word. This erroneous hybrid of tasteless and distasteful was, well, distasteful.
I watched in silent horror as the children copied this offensive descriptor in their notebooks. As I cleared my throat, ready to attempt a graceful and gentle correction, I launched into a coughing fit. By the time I left the room, got a drink, and recovered, the damage was done and the class had moved on. It was probably for the best. A teacher who would use the word “distastless” would probably not take constructive criticism well.
Which leads me to this question: Shouldn’t that TV show be named “Are you smarter than a 6th grade teacher?”
Lucy
